Thank You, Pope Francis, for Making “your sick bed a channel” of Evangelization: SIGNIS Africa President

According to Fr. Walter, Pope Francis in hospital is keeping with his teaching, “In Christ even suffering is transformed into love and the end of the things of this world becomes hope of resurrection and salvation.”

The other of his own teaching that Pope Francis is keeping while in hospital is, “For the Christian, even infirmity is a great gift of communion, with which God makes him share in his goodness precisely through the experience of his weakness.”  

Vatican News reported that despite his hospitalisation on 14 February, Pope Francis defied his health struggles and made two video calls to Gaza's Holy Family parish, reiterating his solidarity and support for the Christian community.

Fr. Walter Chikwendu Ihejirika. Credit: ACI Africa

Pope Francis has reportedly been calling the parish every evening at 7 p.m. since the outbreak of war in the embattled region.

According to Vatican News, the Holy Father was unable to make the daily calls to the Gazan Parish in the following days due to difficulties tied to his health condition, but on Monday, February 24, after the Holy See Press Office reported a "slight improvement" in his health, he was able to call the Holy Family parish again, to express his closeness and personal thanks for the video message.

In his letter to Pope Francis, Fr. Walter says that the Holy Father has an important lesson to teach about showing love amid suffering.

Pope Francis, he says, “you have shown that suffering, when accepted and lived with faith, can be transformed into love for God and for our fellow brothers and sisters. Your telephone calls to the parish priest in the war-torn city of Gaza show that even in the midst of suffering, we are called to show solidarity with others.”

Fr. Walter Chikwendu Ihejirika. Credit: ACI Africa

The member of the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) expressed his spiritual solidarity with the ailing Pope, saying, “I extend heartfelt wishes to you, dear Holy Father, for a quick recovery.”

“As a communicator, I know that the expression of goodwill to our loved ones is very important for individual and collective wellbeing. Thus, I would like you to know that from Africa, we are wishing you a very quick recovery,” the President of SIGNIS Africa said. 

He added, “We join our brothers and sisters all over the world to pray to God for healing graces on you.”

Fr. Walter Chikwendu Ihejirika. Credit: ACI Africa

In separate messages, several other members of PACTPAN from different African countries have expressed their closeness with the Holy Father, reflecting on his simplicity, humility, servant leadership and sense of humour as they continue to pray for his healing.

The African theologians have described Pope Francis as “a prophetic voice in a wounded world”, praying that God will grant him many more years to continue shepherding the people in the spirit of compassion, justice, and inclusivity that continues to characterise his papacy.

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